Dementia Spotlight Podcast

Our tagline, “tips, truths, and straight talk” is our absolute dedication to helping caregivers all around the world.  Not only do we provide tips to our listeners, but we also seek out tips and resources and pass the wealth of knowledge and resources along.  This is not a competition between us and resources, it is a partnership.   In today's episode, we are joined by Ms. Carrie Aalberts, ak...

A caregiver asks two very sensitive and complex questions:  "How do I organize a private funeral? There are people who may try to attend that LO and myself don’t want there. Also, how do you avoid having an after function?" Listen as Bobbi and Mike offer some suggestions on how to navigate these issues. Carducci Caregiving Consulting and Dementia Spotlight Podcast are proud to be an affi...

Great Question. Looking for a memory care facility is very overwhelming.  Listen as Bobbi and Mike offer a number of suggestions that you can ask when visiting a memory care facility.  Use these suggestions as a baseline - there are many more that can be asked.  It is virtually impossible to have an all-inclusive list of questions as each dementia patient has their unique needs. Carducci Caregivin...

In the past, we've talked about how caregiving is not location based and that you can be the advocate for your loved one even though you don't live close by. In today's episode, we are joined by Mr. Dennis Ranck , co-founder of ViewClix, which is an easy-to-use video calling system that helps families easily stay in touch with their loved one.  Click Here for the ViewClix Website Cl...

There are so many people out there that have this feeling. To have somebody turn around and say, "you don't hate him; you hate the disease," because in that moment, you absolutely hate that person. This is a red flag, and it needs to be taken seriously and addressed. Listen as Bobbi and Mike offer some suggestions as to where you might get some assistance. Carducci Caregiving Consul...

Today, we talk about one of the "boogeymen" that we often hear about when dealing with the elderly and dementia. That boogeyman is Adult Protective Services. In today's episode, we are joined by Ms. Ariann Lalla-Mohammed from the Loudoun County (Virginia) Adult Protective Service (APS).   Most people believe that when somebody from APS comes and knocks on the door that it's a b...

Mirrors can be very disconcerting to individuals with dementia.  Today, Bobbi and Mike talk about issues that may arise with mirrors and discuss a couple of helpful hints to deal with them. Carducci Caregiving Consulting and Dementia Spotlight Podcast are proud to be an affiliate of Joe & Bella Adaptive Clothing .  Click here for our affiliate link for your Joe and Bella purchases . If you app...

In today's episode, we talk with guest Ms. Sue Feldmeth who a registered nurse with 30 years of nursing experience. She is also an educator and consultant providing medical cannabis seminars and specialized guidance for those seeking to use cannabis and CBD to treat dementia related issues.  Click here for Sue's Website If you appreciate the information shared on this podcast and want to...

Throughout this process of caring for somebody with a dementia, we learn to be as flexible and creative as possible.  Today, Bobbi and Mike discuss a couple of helpful hints to deal with public bathrooms. Carducci Caregiving Consulting and Dementia Spotlight Podcast are proud to be an affiliate of Joe & Bella Adaptive Clothing .  Click here for our affiliate link for your Joe and Balla purchas...

In today's episode, we talk with guest Ms. Mary Underwood.  Recently, Mary made the decision to form her own consulting company, Empowermentia, Empowerment plus Dementia. She strongly believes and advocates for quality care, informed decisions, and specialized training.  For her work, she has received numerous awards from organizations that focus on the work of those in the field of memory ca...

Today, Bobbi and Mike discuss one of the many myths about dementia and dementia care. Carducci Caregiving Consulting and Dementia Spotlight Podcast are proud to be an affiliate of Joe & Bella Adaptive Clothing .  Click here for our affiliate link for your Joe and Balla purchases . To follow us on "X" (Twitter) - @bobbicarducci2   -and-  @michaelcarducc4 Click here for the Dementia Sp...

One of the most common reasons for someone to put a loved one in a care home is they can't deal with poop.  We can absolutely guarantee you, if you're dealing with somebody with a dementia, poop-will-happen . Today, Bobbi and Mike discuss a couple of helpful hints to deal with poop. Carducci Caregiving Consulting and Dementia Spotlight Podcast are proud to be an affiliate of Joe & Be...

They may not say it out loud, but they are communicating their need by their absence from all the activities they used to be involved with, or by the phone calls, text messages, or tweets that no longer arrive in your inbox. Bobbi has written a paper on how a caregiver near you needs help.  What we're going to do today is let Bobbi fly solo and let her talk about this paper and how a caregive...

Can two people read the same question and get a different meaning?  Find out on today's episode of Tips, Truths, and Straight talk. Carducci Caregiving Consulting and Dementia Spotlight Podcast are proud to be an affiliate of Joe & Bella Adaptive Clothing .  Click here for our affiliate link for your Joe and Balla purchases . To follow us on "X" (Twitter) - @bobbicarducci2   -an...

In today's episode, we talk with guest Ms. Carrie Leljedal,  a Family Caregiver Turned Advocate who describes herself as "one mad mom".   She is a Program Manager for The Live Oak Project. She is a Board Member for NYC Gray Panthers Organization and Co-Chairs their Transformation Tuesday series.  She is also the states Spokesperson for Illinois Caregivers for Compromise. Her greates...

On today's episode of Tips, Truths, and Straight talk, Bobbi and Mike discuss some of the possible reasons your loved one may be refusing food. Carducci Caregiving Consulting and Dementia Spotlight Podcast are proud to be an affiliate of Joe & Bella Adaptive Clothing .  Click here for our affiliate link for your Joe and Balla purchases . To follow us on "X" (Twitter) - @bobbicar...

On today's episode of Tips, Truths, and Straight talk, Bobbi and Mike discuss moving forward with the Alzheimer's drug Aricept, which is very expensive and whether it will help your loved one. Carducci Caregiving Consulting and Dementia Spotlight Podcast are proud to be an affiliate of Joe & Bella Adaptive Clothing .  Click here for our affiliate link for your Joe and Balla purchases...

In today's episode, we talk with guest Ms. Colleen Duewel,  founder and President of Lionheart Eldercare & Consulting, whose mission is to foster autonomy, relieve family caregiver worries, and help older adults thrive.   She has extensive experience as an Advanced Care Planner, certified geriatric care manager, nursing home ombudsman, certified dementia practitioner and hospice visitor....

On Wednesday, April 10th, Ms. Colleen Duewell, who is a Certified Geriatric Care Management Consultant, Certified Dementia Practitioner, and Advanced Care Planner, talks to Bobbi and Mike about how a care manager can be beneficial in understanding and navigating our health, legal, and financial systems.  Stop back on the 10th for Colleen's full episode. To follow us on Twitter - @bobbicarducc...

Bobbi and Mike discuss communicating with your loved one on today's episode of Tips, Truths, and Straight Talk.  Today's question is: "Has anyone experienced LO not being able to understand what is said while still being able to speak well?  He can communicate what he wants to say but has a hard time understanding what is said to him." Interesting and informative guests will jo...

In today's episode, we talk with guest Jimmy Zollo co-founder and CEO of Joe & Bella, an adaptive clothing and apparel company.  We discuss the difficulties associated with getting clothing on and off, and not being able to take loved ones out in public because of the lack of comfortable and stylish clothing.  Joe & Bella offer a full line of adaptive apparel for older adults that mak...

Bobbi and Mike discuss moving forward with the Alzheimer's drug Leqembi on today's episode of Tips, Truths, and Straight Talk. Interesting and informative guests will join us on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month.  On the opposite Wednesdays, we will provide straight talk about what people need to know before and after caregiving begins, including controversial issues others tend t...

In today's episode, we talk with guest Lisa Graff about how difficult it was for her mother when she had to put her own mother into a nursing home when Lisa was in high school and the impact it had on her. Lisa is a retired teacher, actress, novelist, essayist and columnist. Lisa's Websites and Social Media links: Link for Lisa's Website Link for Lisa's "Our Senior Yearboo...

"Why do people advise checking for UTI when LO is being violent, hallucinating, etc.?" While it doesn't seem logical or intuitive, UTI's can have a very dramatic effect on the brain chemistry of the elderly and especially those with dementia.  Bobbi and Mike provide some helpful insights on today's episode of Tips, Truths, and Straight Talk. Interesting and informative gue...

We have mentioned many times on our podcasts how contrasting colors may help people with dementia because of their vision being affected by these devastating brain diseases.  Just one such example would be having mashed potatoes on a dark colored plate so the loved one can see the food better. In today's episode, we talk with guest Sara McCunnie about the use of color and pattern in dementia...